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Category Archives: New & Noteworthy

Larry Gragg, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor emeritus of history and political science

In anticipation of Missouri S&T’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2020, Larry Gragg, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor emeritus of history and political science, is researching and writing a sesquicentennial history book. Over the past year, he has collected memories from hundreds of alumni. One of the most popular topics: favorite Rolla restaurants. His story, “Alex’s Pizza, of course,” will appear in the spring 2018 issue of Missouri S&T Magazine. Among nearly 30 restaurants remembered by alumni, the title of Gragg’s story makes it clear that Miners love their pizza. Continue reading →

Thank you to the members who completed our survey following OGS Weekend in October. Your feedback truly makes a difference. In response to many members who would like more opportunity to connect with each other — and those who would like to gather in Rolla — we’re planning a campus event for OGS members on Saturday, Oct. 13, during S&T’s 2018 Homecoming celebration. Watch for details in the next Shillelagh. Thank you, as well, for your feedback on our 2017 OGS Weekend in Denver. We received many great comments about our day trip to the Solar Decathlon (where S&T’s Solar House Student Design Team earned a fourth-place finish). As members shared:

“Coupling OGS Weekend with a student competition was fantastic.”

“It was great to see what S&T students are accomplishing on a world stage.”

“So proud of our team.”

For our next OGS Weekend in 2019, we’re considering three possible destinations: Chicago, Fort Worth and Washington, D.C. Watch for more information—and thank you for the feedback!

In 2016, the Houston-based Montana Cahill Foundation, led by OGS members Peggy Cahill Montana, ChE’76, and Duane Montana, CE’75, awarded the largest gift in the history of Engineers Without Borders at Missouri S&T: a $500,000 challenge grant. To date, $350,000 has been raised in response to the challenge, much of it from OGS members, including a $250,000 gift from David, ME’93, and Ann Heikkinen, a $50,000 challenge from Rick Stephenson, S&T professor emeritus of civil engineering and longtime advisor to the chapter, and a $25,000 gift from Bipin, ChE’62, MS ChE’63, and Linda Doshi. EWB is only $150,000 away from reaching its goal of raising $1 million. For information on matching funds available, contact Tory Verkamp at verkampv@mst.edu or 573-341-6090.

Thank you to OGS member Bob Brinkmann, CE’71, for his leadership as 2014-16 president of the Missouri S&T Board of Trustees. Joseph Rupp, MetE’72, began his term as president in April, with OGS member Thomas Voss, EE’69, as vice president. We are also pleased to welcome to the board OGS members Tim Bradley, PetE’77, Jim Lovitt, MS CSci’70, and Peggy Montana, ChE’76, as well as Sue Simmons, ChE’84. Next time you’re in the Havener Center, drop by the Silver and Gold Room, where a new trustee recognition wall has been installed. You’ll see the names of many OGS members who have served as trustees over the years.